Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) officers facing charges of sexual harassment and violations of the “Safe Spaces Act” or the Republic Act 11313 are now suspended pending case hearings.
In an interview, Magalong said the cases are now in the courts and there is no other option but to subject both officers under suspension while the cases are being heard in court and the Civil Service Commission.
“We have no choice but to suspend them, let us let our courts decide on this matter,” the mayor said.
The case was filed by a female POSD employee who complained against her supervisor and a collogue detailing incidents from 2024 – 2025 which allegedly constitute to abuse of power, oppression, sexual harassment, dishonesty and retaliation.
POSD was created through an executive order by former mayor Mauricio Domogan sometime in 2018-2019 and is directly under the chief executive’s office. It was only in 2021 that a law was passed in the city council defining the duties, functions, and rules of engagement of the POSD.
The female employee accused her colleague of violating her personal space and safety while her supervisor for non-action to her complaint filed as early as November last year “By refusing to take action, he sent a message to every employee that those in power will be protected and those who speak out will be punished. It created a chilling precedent that harassment, abuse and retaliation can thrive without consequence.”
The POSD is the enforcement arm of the City Mayor’s Office and is tasked secure the general public and maintain public order in conjunction with the police and other tasked enforcement offices and is deputized to implement laws, ordinances, and executive orders in the city.
In her complaint, the female employee said “I respectfully pray that the office of the Baguio City Mayor and /or the Office of the Civil Service Commission conduct a formal administrative investigation and that after proceedings be meted the appropriate penalties including but not limited to dismissal from service, perpetual disqualification from holding public office and forfeiture of all government benefits. I trust in our legal institution’s impartiality and our justice systems commitment to protect victims, uphold the rule of law and ensure that no government officer is above accountability.
Magalong said the complainant and the witnesses to the POSD case are still under the city government. . Maria Elena Catajan